Welcome to the Read Aloud Classroom where we’re making picture books work for you even with a packed schedule. Hi, I’m Sarah, an educator who believes in the power of read alouds to transform your teaching without adding to our already full plates.
I am so excited to be with you today because I have a special announcement that I think you’re going to love! Throughout June and July, I’ll be bringing you bonus episodes every Thursday dedicated to one thing that I know you’ve been asking for—book recommendations for specific teaching topics!
You see, I’ve been listening. So many of you have reached out saying, “I need books to teach inference” or “Do you have recommendations for teaching habitats?” or “What books would you use for social-emotional learning?” And while we did a lot of this on the YouTube channel, I want to bring that resource back to you in podcast form.
So all summer long, these Thursday bonus episodes will feature 10 carefully selected picture books for specific teaching strategies and topics across the curriculum—reading, math, science, social studies, SEL—you name it, we’ll cover it! Think of it as your personal picture book shopping guide that you can reference whenever you need inspiration for a specific lesson.
Today, we’re kicking things off with a topic that I know many of you struggle to teach effectively—point of view! I’ve selected 10 amazing picture books that will help your students grasp this concept in meaningful, engaging ways.
Before we dive in, I want to remind you that all these titles, links to purchase them, and even pictures of the book covers will be available on my website at thecolorfulapple.com. I know it’s hard to visualize books on a podcast, so I’ve got you covered!
Let’s get started with our first book!
The first book I want to share is “Hey, Little Ant” by Philip and Hannah Hoose. This powerful book presents a dialogue between a boy who’s about to squish an ant and the ant who’s pleading for his life. What makes this book perfect for teaching point of view is that it’s written in alternating first-person voices, giving us direct access to each character’s thoughts and feelings about the same situation.
The boy sees the ant as tiny and insignificant, while the ant sees himself as a valuable family member with important responsibilities. And here’s what I love most—the book ends with a question to the reader: “What would you do?” This creates the perfect opportunity for your students to form their own point of view on the moral dilemma.
For a quick activity idea, try having your students debate from either the boy’s or the ant’s perspective. You know those energetic students who sometimes struggle to stay engaged during read alouds? They’ll shine in this kind of structured debate activity!
Our second book is a classic that many of you probably already have on your shelves—”The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs” by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith. This clever twist on the traditional fairy tale is told from the wolf’s perspective, where he claims his actions were all misunderstood—he just had a cold and needed to borrow some sugar!
This book works brilliantly for point of view because it takes a story your students already know and flips it completely. It shows how the same events can be interpreted in radically different ways depending on who’s telling the story.
A simple but effective activity is to create a Venn diagram comparing the traditional tale with the wolf’s version. Your students will quickly see how perspective changes everything—and they’ll be giggling the whole time, which is always a win in my book!
Next up is “Goldilocks Rocks” by Erin Dealey, illustrated by Louie Chin. This reimagining of the Goldilocks story features our protagonist as the lead singer in a rock band who happens upon the Three Bears’ house while looking for a quiet place to practice.
What’s special about this one for teaching point of view is how changing the protagonist’s motivation completely transforms the familiar tale. It’s a perfect example of how a character’s goals and background shape their perspective.
After reading, challenge your students to rewrite another familiar tale from a different character’s perspective. What would Cinderella look like from the viewpoint of the stepmother? Or Jack and the Beanstalk from the giant’s perspective? These writing activities showcase point of view in action while building creative writing skills.
Our fourth book is “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. If you haven’t read this one yet, you’re in for a treat! It features a box of crayons writing letters to their owner, Duncan, expressing their various grievances and feelings.
This book is point of view gold because it presents multiple first-person perspectives within one story. Each crayon has a unique voice, specific concerns, and distinct personality. Red is overworked, Pink feels stereotyped, Black is tired of just outlining things, and Peach… well, Peach has a very specific privacy concern!
I love having students write letters from the perspective of a classroom object after reading this book. The pencil sharpener that’s fed up with eating pencils all day, the whiteboard that wishes everyone would use the correct markers—you’ll be amazed at how this activity helps students grasp the concept of voice and perspective.
Moving on to our fifth book, “Three Hens and a Peacock” by Lester L. Laminack, illustrated by Henry Cole. In this story, a peacock arrives at Tuckers’ Farm and draws customers with its beautiful feathers. The hens become jealous until the wise old dog suggests they switch places—the hens try to strut and show off while the peacock attempts to lay eggs.
This book is perfect for point of view because it literally shows characters trying to experience life from another’s perspective—and failing hilariously! It’s a wonderful illustration of how our unique positions and talents give us different viewpoints.
Try this activity: have students experience a “role swap” in the classroom, where they briefly take on someone else’s responsibilities. Afterward, discuss how their perspective changed when they walked in someone else’s shoes. It’s a powerful lesson in empathy that extends well beyond literary understanding.
Book number six is “The Sandwich Swap” by Queen Rania Al Abdullah with Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Tricia Tusa. This story follows two best friends who nearly end their friendship over their different lunch preferences—a hummus sandwich versus a peanut butter and jelly sandwich—until they try each other’s food.
What makes this book special for teaching point of view is how it shows cultural perspectives shaping opinions without characters even realizing it. The girls each think the other’s lunch looks “gross” simply because it’s unfamiliar, until they open their minds to try something new.
If possible (and being mindful of allergies!), try organizing a classroom “food swap” where students share something from their cultural background. This hands-on experience drives home the book’s message about how trying to understand another’s perspective can change your own.
Our seventh book is “My Big Dog” by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel. This story is told entirely from a cat’s perspective about adjusting to a new dog in the home—something many of your students may have experienced with new siblings or pets!
The first-person feline narrative gives students a clear example of how point of view shapes storytelling. The cat sees the dog as an intruder in “his” space, while readers can see the dog just wants to be friends.
For a quick writing activity, have students write about a family change or event from a pet’s perspective. This helps them practice stepping outside their own viewpoint while still connecting to familiar experiences.
Book number eight is Chris Van Allsburg’s “Two Bad Ants.” In this beautifully illustrated story, two ants decide to stay behind in a sugar bowl rather than return to the colony, and they experience a series of household dangers from their tiny perspective.
What makes this book exceptional for teaching point of view is how everyday objects are described from the unfamiliar perspective of tiny insects. A toaster becomes a hot, glowing cave; coffee is a bubbling, steaming lake; and a garbage disposal is a terrifying spinning storm!
Challenge your students to describe classroom objects from an ant’s point of view. How would a pencil sharpener appear? What would the water fountain look like? This activity helps them understand how perspective literally changes how we see and describe our world.
Our ninth book is Anthony Browne’s “Voices in the Park,” and if you’re looking for a more sophisticated approach to point of view for your upper elementary students, this one’s a gem. The story presents four different characters describing the same walk in the park in very different ways.
What’s remarkable is how both the text AND illustrations shift to reflect each character’s perspective. The wealthy mother’s section is rigid and proper, while the unemployed father’s view is gloomy. The children’s perspectives are more playful and imaginative.
Create a four-square graphic organizer to help students compare these perspectives side by side. This visual tool helps them track how the same event is experienced differently based on social class, mood, and personality—a sophisticated point of view lesson!
And finally, book ten is “School’s First Day of School” by Adam Rex, illustrated by Christian Robinson. This clever story reverses the typical first-day jitters narrative by telling it from the perspective of the school building itself, who’s nervous about meeting all the new children.
This book demonstrates how even an inanimate object can have a viewpoint, which is a sophisticated way to explore perspective. The school worries about being judged, feels hurt when children don’t want to come inside, and feels proud when learning happens within its walls.
Have your students write from the perspective of other classroom or school objects—what might the playground feel about recess? How does the cafeteria view lunchtime? This creative writing exercise reinforces the concept while letting imaginations soar.
So there you have it—ten perfect picture books for teaching point of view in your elementary classroom! From simple perspective shifts to complex multiple narratives, these books provide engaging, accessible ways to help your students master this sometimes challenging concept.
Remember, all these titles, links, and book cover images will be available on my website at thecolorfulapple.com. And be sure to hit subscribe so you don’t miss any of our summer bonus episodes with more book recommendations for specific teaching needs!
Next Thursday, we’ll be exploring books perfect for teaching inference—another tricky skill that becomes so much more manageable with the right mentor texts.
If you found today’s episode helpful, I’d be so grateful if you’d take a screenshot, share it on Instagram, and tag me @thecolorfulapple. And if you have favorite point of view books that I didn’t mention, I’d love to hear about them! Send me a DM on Instagram—I’m always looking to expand my collection.
Thanks for joining me today in the Read Aloud Classroom. You’re doing amazing work with your students, and I’m honored to be a small part of your teaching journey. Until next time, happy reading!
